On behalf of Governor Tom Wolf, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined Hershey Company U.S. President Todd Tillemans, and local, state and federal officials to celebrate the groundbreaking on a $60 million expansion and new Kit Kat manufacturing
line at the company's Hazleton, Luzerne County plant.

The investment will create more than 100 manufacturing 'Jobs That Pay' in a thriving sector of the state's $135.7 billion agriculture and food industry.

"It's a good day when you get to talk about having more chocolate in the world, but it's an even better day when it comes with new, good jobs for the Hazleton region and an expanded market for Pennsylvania dairy products," Redding said. "This kind of
investment here speaks loudly that Pennsylvania is a great place to do business not only for confectionary producers, but for other food manufacturers, as well -- a point made clear in our economic impact analysis of the food and agriculture industries."

Pennsylvania ranks number one nationally in sales of sugar and confectionary products, with exports valued at more than $623 million.

Cocoa and chocolate confections are the state's top food export product. Hershey uses fluid milk from Pennsylvania dairies at its West Hershey plant, and powdered milk sourced and processed in Pennsylvania in the Kit Kats that will be produced in Hazleton.

The Wolf Administration is working with companies that specialize in dairy products, including Hershey and their supplier Land O' Lakes, to expand their businesses in Pennsylvania.

The Hershey Company is actively seeking to hire 111 people at the Hazleton plant, an increase of more than 25 percent.